Senior Product Designer - Backend at Upwork

Company Overview

Upwork is the world’s work marketplace connecting businesses with independent talent. We pioneered remote work and continue to champion its benefits for both individuals and companies. At Upwork, we believe talent is everywhere, and opportunity should be too. Our platform enables businesses to access a global pool of skilled professionals, while providing freelancers with the freedom and flexibility to work on their own terms. We are a fully remote company, and our culture embraces collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to creating a positive impact on the future of work.

Position Summary

Upwork is seeking a passionate and experienced Senior Product Designer - Backend to join our fully remote team. In this role, you will be responsible for designing intuitive and effective user experiences for our backend systems and tools used by internal teams. You will collaborate closely with product managers, engineers, and other stakeholders to understand user needs, define design solutions, and ensure the seamless functionality of our platform's infrastructure. This is a fully remote position allowing you to work from anywhere in the USA.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design process for backend products, from ideation and concept development to detailed design and implementation.
• Conduct user research and gather feedback to understand the needs of internal users (e.g., customer support, operations, engineering).
• Create wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups to communicate design solutions effectively.
• Collaborate with engineers to ensure designs are technically feasible and implementable.
• Develop and maintain design systems and style guides to ensure consistency across all backend products.
• Advocate for user-centered design principles and best practices.
• Participate in design reviews and provide constructive feedback to other designers.
• Contribute to the overall design strategy for Upwork's backend infrastructure.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest design trends and technologies.
• Work closely with remote team members using collaboration tools and communication channels.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in product design, with a focus on backend systems or internal tools.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating your design process and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in design and prototyping tools such as Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and presentation skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong understanding of user-centered design principles and methodologies.
• Experience working in an Agile development environment.
• Proven ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with remote teams.
• Must be located within the United States.

Technical Requirements

To ensure a productive and seamless remote work experience, the following technical requirements are essential:

• Home Office Setup: A dedicated and distraction-free workspace. Upwork provides a home office stipend to help you set up your workspace.
• Internet Speed: Reliable high-speed internet connection with a minimum upload/download speed of 25 Mbps.
• Equipment: A personal computer (laptop or desktop) that meets Upwork’s minimum hardware and software requirements.
• Communication Tools: Proficiency in using communication and collaboration tools such as Slack, Zoom, and Google Workspace.
• Time Zone: Comfortable working within US time zones, with a preference for PST/EST overlap hours to facilitate collaboration with distributed teams.

Desired Skills

• Experience with data visualization and dashboard design.
• Familiarity with backend technologies and architectures.
• Experience conducting user research with technical users.
• Knowledge of accessibility standards and best practices.
• Experience in a fully remote work environment.
• Passion for improving the lives of freelancers and businesses.

Compensation & Benefits

The annual salary range for this fully remote Senior Product Designer - Backend position is $140,000 - $180,000, depending on experience and location. Upwork offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Unlimited PTO
• Paid holidays
• 401(k) with company match
• Employee stock purchase plan
• Home office stipend
• Professional development opportunities
• Virtual team building activities
• Opportunities for growth and advancement within a remote-first company

We are committed to fostering a positive and inclusive work environment for all our remote employees. We offer a virtual onboarding process to ensure you are fully integrated into the Upwork team. While this is a fully remote position, occasional travel may be required for team meetups or company-wide events.

How to Apply

If you are a passionate and experienced Product Designer with a desire to work remotely and contribute to a company that is revolutionizing the future of work, we encourage you to apply. Please submit your resume and a portfolio showcasing your design work. We look forward to hearing from you!